Electrical controlling apparatus



Jan. 28, 1930. H. s. YOUNG ELECTRICAL CONTROLLING APPARATUS Filed May 7, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet I l y INVENTOR. r

Jan. 28, 1930. HQS. YOUNG ELECTRICAL CONTROLLING APPARATUS Filed May 7. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet I I l D DR/ INVENTOR! hRSJovnq,

(lift/bale Patented Jan. 28, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE -HENRY S. YOUNG, F WILKINSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE UNION SWITCH & SIGNAL COMPANY, OF SWISSVALE, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION V OI PENNSYLVANIA ELECTRICAL CONTROLLING APPARATUS Application filed May 7, 1927. Serial No. 189,614.

My invention relates to electrical controlling apparatus, and particularly to apparatus for controlling an electric motor such as, a railway switch operating motor or the like, from a remote point. v

I will describe several forms of apparatus embodying my invention, and will then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a lo diagrammatic view illustrating one form of apparatus embodying my invention. Figs. 2 and 3 are views showing modified forms of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1 and also embodying my invention.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts in each of the three views. 7

Referring first to Fig. 1, the reference (character A designates a railway trafiic controlling device here shown as a track switch 2 of the usual form operated, through any suit able form of mechanism, by a motor M com-, "prising an armature 1 and a field 2. Associated with the switch A is a circuit controller designated by the reference character E and comprising a contact 35 which is closed at all times except when the switch occupies its full normal position in which the switch is illustrated in the drawing. Contact 3% is closed at all times'except when the switch occupies its full reverse position. The switch A also operates a pole changer designated by the reference character H.

The motor M is controlled by a manually operable lever L which may be one of a number of such levers in an interlocking machine located at a point remote from the switch, such for example, as in an interlocking cabin, Lever L is capable of assuming a plurality of different positions indicated by broken lines in the drawing and designated by the reference characters N, B, D and R. Associated With the lever L are a plurality of contacts each designated by the letter or letters which correspond to the lever positions for which. the corresponding contact is closed. For example, contact D is closed only when the lever L is in the D position. Similarly, contacts RD are closed when lever L is in the R position, the D position or any position intermediate these two.

Attached to the lever L is a locking segment 19 cooperating with a latch 20 operated by a magnet 21. As shown in the drawing, the lever is in the N position. If the operator attempts to move the lever toward the R position, a projection 19- on the underside 0 segment 19 will engage the latch 20 and prevent movement of the lever to the D position unless the locking magnet 21 is deenergized. If the magnet is de-energized to permit the projection 19" to pass the latch 20, the magnet must be subsequently energized to lift the latch out of engagement with the shoulder 19 to permit the lever to be moved to its full reverse position. In similar manner when the lever is moved from the R to the N position, the locking magnet 21 mustbe de-energized to permitthe projection 19 to pass the latch 2O to allow the lever to assume the B position and must again be energized to permit the shoulder 19 to pass the latch 20 to allow the lever to move to its normal position. The lock magnet 21 is controlled in part by the usual polarized indication relay K which is supplied with energy, from terminals X and Y of a source of energy not shown in the drawing over the pole-changer H operated by switch A. The r circuit for the indication relay K is carried over a contact 17 on a circuit breaker G, the purpose of which will be explained in detail hereinafter. The parts are so arranged that when the switch occupies its normal position in which it is shown in the drawing, the relay K is energized in such direction that contact 3232 is closed. When the switch is reversed, however, the

- consequent reversal of pole changer H causes relay K to be energized in such direction that contact 3232 is closed.

The lock magnet 21 is also controlled by a contact mechanism designated in general by the reference character F. This mechanism comprises a plate 22 rigidly attached to the shaft 23 of the lever L and operating therewith. Loosely mounted on the shaft 23 of the lever L is a dog 24 which is operated, with a considerable amount of lost motion, in one direction or the other by pins 25, 26, in plate 22 Lever 27 pivoted at 2'2 is provided on itsupper side with a notch 28 into which the tip of do '24 is forced during operation of the leveri. When the do 24engages-the lever 27, a movable contact nger 29 is ur d into engagement with a fixed contact mom or 30. As shown in the drawing, the lever occupies its normal osition and contact 29-30,;

is open,=the dog 24 eing swung out ofengagement with lever 27. If the operator moves the lever toward its reverse position, the lost motion between pin 25 and the dog 24 permits the lever to move to substantially'its central position between the B and D positions of the lever before the dog is forced into engagement with the lever 27 'When this occurs the lever 27 is urged downwardly, closing contact 29-30. A slight further movement of the lever forces the tip of dog 24 into the notch 28 :of level-'27. During continuedfmotion of the lever L the contact 2930 is held closed. J list before the lever assumes its extreme reverse position, the tip of the dog 24 is urged out of the notch 28, thereby allowing contact 2930 to open. In similar manner for movements of the lever L from the reverse .to the normal position, contact 29-30 remains open untilthe lever attains substan-' tially; its central position whereupon pin 26 urgesthe dog into engagement with the lever 27 closing contact 29-30 and holding this contact closed during continued motion of 3232 of relay K is close the lever L. Just before the lever is restored to its full normal position the dog 24 is moved out of the notch28 on lever 27 and contact 29-30 again opens. After the tip of dog 24 has been forced into the notch 28, the lever can be moved freely between positions B and D without urging the dog out of the notch.

The lock ma net 21 is provided with two circuits, one 0 which may be traced from terminal X, through front contact 31 of indication relay K, wire 31, contact 32 32 of relay K, wire 33, a B contact on lever L, wires '34 and 35, contact 29-30, wire 36, and magnet 21, backto terminal Y. The other circuit for the lock magnet 21 passes from terminalX, over front'contact 31 of relay K, wire 31, contact 3232 of relay K, wire 37,

As shown in the drawing, lever L occupies its normal position and the switch A also occupies its normal position so that relay K is energized in such direction as to close contact 32- 32. Motor M is de-energized, however, and lock magnet 21 is also de-energized because both of its circuits are open at contact 2930 as viell as at contactsB and D. In explaining the operation of the apparatus, I will first assume that it is desired to move the switch A to its reverse position. To accomplish this result, the operator moves lever L from its N position toward its R position.-

Contact 29 30 does not become closed until of the lever will be arrested by the engagement of lock 20 with -projection-19. When the lever reaches its D position, further movement of the lever is prevented by engagement of the lock20 with the projection 19*. In this position of the-lever, however, the RD contacts are closed and current then flows to the motor M over a circuit 'which may be traced from terminal X, over the circuit breaker G, through .an RD contacton the lever L, conductor 11, contact 3 4 of circuit controller E operated by switch A, asymmetric unit 6, wire 15, field 2 of motor M, wire 16, asymmetric unit 8, wire 14, armature 1 of motor M, conductor 10, contact RD of lever L and back to terminal Y, through circuit breaker G. Current thus supplied to the motor M operates the motor to move switch A to its reverse position. When theswitch attains its full reverse position contact 3-4 opens, thereby interrupting the circuit just traced anddiscontinuing the supply of energy to the motor M. The movement ofthe switch A to its reverse position also reverses the pole-changer H so that indication relay K is now energized in such direction as to close contact 3232", and since the lever isnow in the D position current is supplied to lock magnet 21,'thereby lifting the lock'20 and allowing the lever L to be moved to its full reverse position, whereupon contact 29-30 and contact D open and de-energize lock magnet 21 If the operator wishes to restore the switc to its normal position, he moves lever L'from 1 its R position toits B position. To attaih this position of the lever, magnet 21 of lock J must be de-energized. During the motion of the lever from R to B, the D contact is closed but look magnet 21 is not energized because at this time contact 29-30 is open.

When the lever L is moved far enough to close contact 293 0, contact D will have been opened and the other circuit for the lock mag- 7 not through contact B of the lever'will be open at contact 32-32. The movement of the lever is, therefore, arrested-at the B position.

The NB contacts on the lever are now' closed and the RD contacts included in the circuit previously traced for motor M are open. As a result, current flows from terminal X, through circuit breaker G, over an NB contact on the lever, conductor 10, armature 1 of motor M, wire 14, asymmetric unit 7 field 2 of motor M, wire 16, asymmetric unit 9, contact 3-5 of circuit controller E, conductor 11 and a second NB contact on the lever and circuit breaker G back to the terminal Y. It will be observed that due to the connections of the motor through the asymmetric units the direction of the current now supplied to the field 2 is the same as before, but that the current now flows through the armature 1 in the opposite direction. The motor M is, therefore, operated to restore switch A to its normal position. When the switch has attainedits full normal position, contact 35 of circuit controller E opens, thereby interrupting the circuit just traced and discontinuing the supply of the current to the motor. Movement of the switch A to its normal position also restores the pole-changer H to the position in which it is illustrated in the drawing, thereby energizing the relay K to close contact 3232 Lock magnet 21 is, therefore energized to lift the lock 20 out of engagement with the projection 19and permit the lever to be restored tp its full normal position.

One feature of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 is that the switch operating motor may be operated in either direction in accordance with the polarity of the current supplied to a single pair of line wires 10 and 11, and that when the motor has been operated to move the switch to one position or the other in accordance with the polarity of the current supplied to the motor, the operation of circuit controller E automatically disconnects the motor from the source of current so that power is consumed by the switch operating motor only during the actual transit of the switch.

Another feature of my invention is that by the use of the contact mechanism F operating in conjunction with the indication relay K controlled by pole-changer H, the lever may be locked against movement except when the position of the switch corresponds to the position of the lever, and this locking is accomplished without the necessity of the usual quick-switch customarily employed for this purpose in connection with interlocking levers used. for the control of railway switches.

Furthermore, since the lever may be moved freely between the B and D positions while maintaining contact 29-30 closed, the lever may be manipulated to successively operate the switch toward its normal and reverse positions without moving the lever to its full normal or reverse position. This operation is sometimes desirable to break lumps of coal, accumulations of ice etc., that prevent complete operation of the switch on the first attempt. Also, if due to some failure, the magnet 21 does not become energized when the switch is moved to its reverse position, for

example, the switch may be restored to its normal position and the lever moved to its full normal position, so that the switch may be used in one position, even though the lever may not be moved to the full position corresponding to the other position of the switch.

In an interlocking machine containing a large number of other levers similar to lever L, it might happen that a cross would occur on one of the conductors 10 or 11, that is, through some fault, one of the terminals X or Y might become connected directly with one of the conductors 10 or 11. This might interfere with the safe operation of the apparatus or cause an improper operation of the switch. It will be noted however, that the circuit breaker G is provided with two oppositely wound operating coils 12 and 13 which are inserted between the two terminals, respectively of the source and the contacts of the switch lever. With this arrangement, if a cross occurs, one of the windings 12 or 13 will become de-energized, because the potential on both sides of the coil will be the same. As a result the other c'oil will trip the circuit breaker, and will disconnect the source of energy from the apparatus. At the same time the opening of contact 17 of the circuit breaker will de-energize the relay K and make it impossible to reverse the switch lever. The relay K may also control a trackway signal not shown in the drawing in such manner that the signal indicates stop when the relay becomes de-energized as explained above, thereby giving a continuous indication of the fault until it is corrected.

Under some conditions of operation, it

may be desirable to control the operation of two or more track switches by the same control lever L. For example, this might be desirable in case of a crossover. This may be accomplished by the arrangement of apparatus shown in Fig. 2. In this View two switches of a crossover designated respectively A and A are each provided with an operating motor designated by the reference characters M and vM respectively. The switch A actuates a circuit controller P comprising a contact 38-39 which is closed at all times except when the switch occupies its full reverse position. The circuit controller P also comprises a contact 40-41 which is closed when the switch occupies its normal position and a contact l042 which is closed at all other times. In similar manner a circuit controller P controlled by switch A comprises a contact 46-47 closed at all times except when the switch A occupies its full normal position. The circuit controller P also comprises a contact 43-44 which is closed when the switch A occupies its reverse position and a contact 43et5 which is closed at all other times. As shown in the drawing the lever L occupies its normal position and switches A and .U are b th normal. If the operator wishes to reverse the switches A and vtact 43-i5 of circuit controller P asymmetric unit 48, field 2-of motor M, asymmetric unit 50, wire 52, armature 1 of motor M conductor 10 and a second RD contact on lever L and back to terminal Y of the source. Motor M is, therefore, operated to move the switch A to its reverse position. When the switch finally attains this position, contact 43-45 opens and contacts 43-44: becomes closed. This opening of contact 4345 discontinues the supply of energy to motor M and the closing oi? contact 43-44 completes the circuit over which current is supphed to motor M, from terminal X, through an RD contact onthe lever L, conductor 11, contact 43--44 of circuit controller P wire 53, contact 3839 of circuit. controller P, asymmetric unit 6, field 20f motor M, asymmetric unit 8, wire 14, armature 1 of motor M, conductor 10, an RD contact on the lever L, and

back to terminal -Y. Current supplied to the motor M over the circuit just traced causes the motor to move switch A to its reverse position, thereby opening contact 38-39 and discontinuing the supply of energy to the motor M.

In order to restore the switches A and A to their normal positions, lever L is returned toward its N position. When the NB contacts on th lever areclosed current flows from terminal X over an NB contact on the lever, conductor 10, armature 1 of. motor M, wire 14:, asymmetric unit 7, field 2 of motor M, asymmetric unit 9, contact 4042 of circuit controller P .wire 54, conductor 11, an

NB contact on lever L back to the terminal Y. When the motor M has returned switch A to its normal position, the closing of con-1 tact 40- 11 of circuit controller P completes a circuit over which current flows from terminal X over an NB contact on lever L, conductor 10, armature 1 of motor M wire 52,

asymmetric unit 4:9,field 2 of motor M asymmetric unit 51, contact 16---4c7 of circuit controller P wire 55, contact LO-41 of circuit-controller P, wire 54, conductor 11, an NB contact on lever L, and back to terminal Y. It will, therefore be observed that when I the lever L is moved from one extreme position to the other, the motors M and M are successively operated to reverse the corresponding switches. That is to say, in moving from normal to reverse, the motor M 'is first connected with the source and when this motor has moved its switch to the full reverse position, the motor BI is connected with the source. Similarly, in switch movements from reverse to normal, the motor M is first connected with the source, and'motor M is not supplied with energy until switch has been restored to its full normal position,

It should be understood, of course, that the lever L of Fig. 2 may be provided with apparatus similar to that shown in Fig. 1 for the control of the lock J and that an indication relay may be controlled by Dole-changers economy and for other reasonsit is not desirable to supply the operating energy for the switch motor M over conductors 10 and 11. Under these conditions it is customary to provide a circuit controller located adjacent the. switch and controlled by the lever L. Thiscircuit controller in turn operates contacts vwhichcontrol the supply of energy from a local source to the motor M. Apparatus constructed in accordance with my invention for accomplishing this result is shown in Fig. 3.

The lever L controls a circuit controller'designated in general by the reference character S and comprising a magnetizable core 56 provided with a winding 57 and having an air gap in which is located a movable armature 58 provided with a second winding 59. The position of the armature 58 is, responsive to the relative direction of the currents supplied to the windings 57 and 59. Operatively connected with the armature 58 are a pair of contact members 64 and 65 which 'co-operate with a plurality of fixed contacts as will appear 5 hereinafter. As shown in the drawing the parts are all illustrated in the positions which they occupy when the switch lever L is normal andwhen the switch Abccupies its n:or mal position. It, now, it is desired to {reverse the switch A, the lever L is moved; to

the D position, thereby closing the RD contacts on the lever. Current then flows from terminal X, through an RD contact on the lever L, conductor 11, asymmetric unit 61, wire 67, winding 59, wire 66. asymmetric ugnit 63, contact 68-69 operated by circuit-con-v troller S, wire 7 O, winding 57 conductor :10,

an RD contact on lever L and back to ter ninal Y. The current thus supplied to he windings 57 and 590i circuit controller S causes operation'o'f'armature 58 to reverse the contacts 64 and 65 operated thereby. Current then flows from terminal X of a local source adjacent the switch through wire wires 74 and 75, field 2 of motor M, wire 76,

contact 7 7 78 of circuit controller S, wire 79,

contact 3-4: operated by switch A, wire 80, armature 1 of motor M, back to terminal Y of the local source. Current flowing in this circuit causes operation of the motor M to move the switch A to its reverse position. When the switch has completed this movement the opening of contact 3-4 interrupts the circuit'for the motor. It should also be observed that as soon as the circuit controller S is reversed, the supply of current to the windings 57 and 59 is discontinued by the opening of contact 6869 so that this device does not consume energy except when the device is actually being operated to reverse the connections ot the switch operating motor M.

In order to restore the switch to its normal position, the lever L is returned to its B position. Current from terminal X then flows through an NB contact on the lever, conductor 10, winding 57 of circuit controller S, wire 70, contact 81-82 of circuit controller S, wire 83, asymmetric unit 62, wires 84 and 67, winding 59 of circuit controller S, wires 66 and 85, asymmetric unit 60, conductor 11 and a second NB contact on the lever back to terminal Y. The current thus supplied to winding 59 of circuit controller S flows in the same direction as before through this winding, but the direction of flow of current in winding 57 is reversed. The circuit controller S is, therefore, reversed,-opening contact operated to restore. the switch A to its normal 81-82 (and discontinuing the supply of current to the circuit controller. The closing of contacts 8687 and 8990 completes a circuit' over which current flows from terminal X through contact 86-87, wire 76, field 2 of motor M, wires 75 and 88, contact 8990, wire 91, contact 3-5 operated by switch A,

wire 80, and armature 1 of motor M back to terminal Y The motor M is, therefore,

I position. When this movement of the switch corresponding positions. the switch A. and the circuit controlled S both as been'completed, contact 3-5 opens and so disconnects the motor from its source of energy.

Relay K is controlled in .Fig. 3 jointly by contacts on the circuit controller S and by contacts operated by the switch A so that this relay can be energized only when the switch and the circuit controller S occupy For example when occupy their normal positions, in which they are shown in the drawing, current flows from terminal X over contact 104-405 of circuit controller S, wire 103, contact 99102 operated by switch A, wire 98, winding of relay K, wire 97 contact 95-101 and back to terminal Y If circuit controller S is reversed and if switch A also occupies its reverse position relay K is energized in the other direction by current which flows from terminal X- over contact 9293, wire 94, contact 95-96 operated by switch A, wire 97,- winding of relay K, wire 98, contact 99-100 by the motor for and back to terminal Y It is understood of course that relay K in Fig. 3 may be used to control the lever lock J of Fig. 1 in the manner shown in the latter view.

Although I have herein shown and de scribed only a few forms of railway trafic controlling apparatus embodying my invention, it is understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In combination, a pair of conductors, a manually operable lever for reversibly supplying current to the conductors, a motor comprising two windings, a railway switch controlled by the motor in accordance with the relative polarity of the currents supplied to such windings, a circuit controller actuated by the switch, and means includin the circuit controller and asymmetric units or at times connecting the windings in series across the conductors in such manner that current flows always in one direction through one winding but flows in one direction or the other through the other winding according to the position of said lever.

2. In combination, a pair of conductors, a manually operable lever for reversibly supplying current to the conductors, a motor comprising two windings, two asymmetric units connected in series across one winding, means including the other winding for connecting the common terminal of said units with one conductor, and a contact controlled connecting the other conductor with one terminal or the other of such one winding.

3. In combination, a pair of conductors, a manually operable lever for reversibly supplying current to the conductors, a motor comprising two windings, a first and a second asymmetric unit connected in series across one said winding, means including the other winding for connecting the common terminal of such first and second asymmetric units with one of said fourth asymmetric unit, and a contact controlled by t-he motor for at times connectin the remaining conductor with one termina of said one winding through the third unit and 'for at other times connecting said r maining conductor with the other terminal of said one winding through the fourth unit.

4. In combination, a railway switch, a motor for operating the switch and comprising a field and an armature, two contacts con trolled by the switch, a manually operable lever having normal and reverse contacts, four asymmetric units, a first circuit 'includ ing a normal contact of the lever, one ofsaid switch controlled contacts, said field, said armature and two of said asymmetric units;

conductors, a third and a 1 and a second circuit including a reverse contact of the lever, the other switch controlled contact, said field, said armature and the remaining two asymmetric units.

5. In combination, two windings, a railway switch controlled by said wlndings in accordance with the relative polarity of thecurrents flowing therein, a pair of conductors, means for reversibly supplying current to said conductors, means including asymmetric units for supplying current from the conductors to one winding always in the same direction and to the other winding in one direction or the other depending upon the polarity of the current supplied to the. conductors, and a circuit controller operated by the switch for at times discontinuing the supply of current to said windings.

6. In combination, a'r'ailway switch, a motor for controlling the switch, a pair of conductors, a source of current, means for reversibly connecting the source with the conductors, a circuit breaker having two opposed operating coils one interposed between each conductor and the source for at times disconnectin the source from the conductors, a first wlnding on'the motor, a first and a second asymmetric unit connected in series across such winding, a third and a fourth asymmetric unit, means responsive to the condition of the switch for connecting one conductor with one terminal of said winding through said third unit or with the other terminal of the winding through thefou'rth unit, and means including a second winding on the motor for connecting the other conductor with the common terminal of the first and second asymmetric units.

7. In combination, a railway switch, a motor for controlling the switch, a pair of conductors, a source of current, means for reversibly connecting the source with the conductors, a circuit breaker having two opposed operating coils one interposed between each conductor and the source for at times disconnecting the source from the conductors, a first winding on the motor, a first and a second asymmetric unit connected in series across such winding, and having their common terminal connected with one of said conductors, a third and a fourth asymmetric unit, means responsive to the condition of the switch for connecting one conductor with one terminal of said winding through said third unit or with the other terminal of the winding through the fourth unit, and a second winding on the motor connected in series with one of said conductors.

8. In combination, two windings, a railway switch controlled in accordance with the relative directions of the'currents flowing through such windings, a source of current, .a pair of conductors, means for reversibly connecting the source with the conductors, and means including asymmetric units for at operating the switch, a segment carried by the lever, a latch controlled by a magnet and co-operating with the segment to prevent full movement of the lever in either direction past an intermediate position in the stroke. of the lever unless the magnet is de-energized and to prevent further movement of the lever unless the magnet is energized, a contact opened when the lever occupies either extreme position, I means operating when the lever. is moved past such intermediate point in its stroke in either direction to close the contact, and a circuit for the magnet controlled by said contact.

10. In combination, a railway switch, a manually operable lever having N, B, D and R positions, means effective when the lever occupies its D or R positions to move the switch to its reverse position, means efiective when the lever occupies its N or B'positions to move the switch v to its normal position, a lock for preventing normal movements of the lever past the B position and for preventing reverse movements of the lever pastthe D position, a normally open contact arranged HENRY S. YOUNG. 

